Bottle receiving and detection apparatus and method therefore

摘要

An apparatus for receiving and detecting a bottle having a chute configured for receiving the bottle therein, a first sensor disposed to detect the bottle at a first position within the chute, a second sensor disposed to detect the bottle at a second position within the chute, and a third sensor disposed to detect the bottle at a third position within the chute, and an indicator in communication with the sensors to provide indication that a bottle was received. A method carried out by the apparatus is also provided.

主权项

1. An apparatus for receiving and detecting a bottle, comprising:
a chute configured for receiving the bottle therein, said chute having a bottle inlet for receiving the bottle, a bottle outlet through which the bottle exits said chute, a chute wall extending longitudinally between said inlet and said outlet and a chute interior between said inlet and said outlet through which said bottle moves; a first stop member pivotally secured to said chute for movement within said chute interior between a first position wherein said first stop member extends into said chute interior such that a distal end of said stop member is positioned away from said chute wall a sufficient distance to engage said bottle therein, and a second position wherein said distal end of said first stop member is moved towards the surface of said chute wall in a direction from said inlet to said outlet by said bottle moving through said chute in a direction from said inlet to said outlet, said first stop member being biased from said second position towards said first position and moveable from said first position towards said second position by said bottle against said bias to allow said bottle to pass thereby when moving in a direction from said inlet to said outlet, said first stop member configured to engage said bottle to inhibit removal of said bottle from within said chute through said inlet; and a first sensor for detecting when the bottle is at a first position within said chute, said sensor being in communication with an indicator for indicating the receipt of a bottle.